Track torpedo and method for producing the same



June 18, 1929, H. w. KELLY 1,718,153

TRACK TORPEDO AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Filed Aug. 3, 1928 Patented June 18, 1929.

HUGH \VILLIAMSON KELLY, or woonnnrnen, NEW JERSEY.

TRACK TORIPEDO AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME.

Application filed August 3, 1928. Serial No. 297,156.

This invention relates particularly to track torpedoes of the type disclosed in my Patents Nos. 1,249,113, dated Dec. 4th, 1917, and 1,567,151, dated Dec. 29th, 1925. It is more particularly concerned with anew and improved method of producing the charge-carrying and, rail-engaging portion of the torpedo, which in this instance are-both formed of rubber.

An object of my, invention is to produce a rubber torpedo carrier by-a new and useful method. a

Another object is to produce a rubber torpedo body without the necessity of using tubing machines, molds, etc., or without employing mechanical aid other than suitable forms.

Still another object is'to produce a-rubber torpedo body by the method. of wrapping the. rubber direct from the calendar or mill about suitable forms, and vulcanizing it while in position on the forms.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

Referring to the specific vexemplification depicted in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing the rubber as it comes from the calendar or mill, properly shaped about suitable forms;

Fig, 2 is a topplan of a completed torpedo;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3of Fig. 2;

Fig. 1 is a section at right angles to Fig. 3, taken on the line 4-t thereof;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the completed torpedo; and

Fig. 6 depicts a section through a rail, with a torpedo, shown in side elevation, in position thereon.

A sheet of rubber or other suitable ma terial 1 is taken from the calendar or mill, as the case may be, and is shaped around forms 2, 2 as shown in Fig. 1. To properly locate and hold the ends 3, 3 of the sheet 1 in position, a form 4, slidable between the forms 2, 2, may be employed, though this can be omitted if desired. 7

Superposed upon the sheet 1, while-in position on the forms 2, 2 and 4, is an additional form 5, over which is extended another sheet of rubber or similar material 6, having ends 7 7 extending beyond the-form 5 and overlying the sheet 1, or this sheet 6 may be ex tended over the whole of 2, 2, making the carrier thicker and stronger, if desired.

With the forms and sheets arranged in the manner described, the material is suitably vulcanized. And the rubber may be reinforced with sheeting or duck 1 to give it additional efficiency. However, the steps of be omitted if-desired, andv provisions made for accommodating the explosive charge in another manner.

The forms are then removed and the rub ber blank cut into convenient sections, to form torpedo bodies.

, As better shown inFig. 3, an explosive charge 8 is inserted between the sheets 1 and 6 of each individual torpedo section,'and' the free ends 9, 9 of the sheet 6 are cemented or otherwise sealed to sheet 1, to make a closed or water-tight cover for the-charge 8.

However, if desired, the charge 8 may be contained in a watertight container, in

which instance it would be unnecessary to seal the ends 9, 9.

Figs. 2 and 5 show, respectively, a top plan and a side elevation of the completed torpedo.

In Fig. 6 the torpedo shown in Fig. 3 is illustrated in operative position on a rail head 11. and it is readily seen how the intermediate portions 10 of the sheet 1 in Fig. 3 assume the positions depicted in Fig. 6.

Itwill also be clearly apparent that-an enormous saving intime and expense results frolnmyinvention, and that the necessity of dies, extruding tubing, or the like, is entirely avoided. I I

.y Iclaim: a

-1. In the process of preparing a torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions and vulcanizing. 1

2. In the process of preparing a torpedo applying sheet 6 may body the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on 7 forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form rail-ei'igaging leg portions, inserting another form between the firstlnentioned forms, to rigidly hold the ends of the sheet in, place, and vulcanizing.

3. In the process of preparing a body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, placinganother form on top of the sheet, and another sheet over the last-mentioned form, so that its edges overlie the form and rest on the firstmentioned sheet, and vulcanizing'.

4. In the process of preparinga torpedo torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to iiorm leg portions, inserting another form between the first-mentioned forms, to firmly hold the ends of the sheet in place, placing another form on top of the sheet, positioning another rubber sheet over the last-mentioned form so that its ends overlie the form and rest on the first-mentioned sheet, and vulcanizing.

5. In the process of preparing a torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, vulcanizing, and severing the sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks.

(3. In the process of preparing a torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, inserting another form between the first-mentioned forms to securely hold the ends of the sheet in place, vulcanizing, and severing the sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks.

7. Inthe process of preparing a torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, placing another form on top of the sheet, positioning another sheet over the last-mentionedform with its ends overlying the form and resting on the first-mentioned sheet, vulcanizing, and severing the resulting vulcanized blank into sections suitable for torpedo blanks.

8. In the process of preparing a torpedo body, the-steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends oi. the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, inserting another form between the first-mentioned forms, to firmly hold the ends of the sheet in place, placing another form on top oi the sheet, positioning another rubber sheet over the last-mentioned form so that its ends overlie the form and rest on the first-mentioned sheet, vulcanizing, and severing the resulting vulcanized blank into sections suitable for torpedo blanks.

9. The process of forming a torpedo for railway tracks and the like, comprising the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, vulcanizing the sheet while on the form, cutting the vulcanized'sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks, and placing and securing a charge on top of each blank.

10. The process of forming a torpedo for railway tracks and the like, comprising the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, inserting another form between the first-mentioned forms, to rigidly hold the ends of the sheet in place, vulcanizing the rubber while on the forms, severing the vulcanized sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks, placing and securing a strip thereover to hold a charge in position, and securing a charge between the top of the torpedo blank and the said strip. I

11. In the process of preparing a torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, placing another form on top of the sheet, positioning another sheet over the last-mentioned form, with its ends overlying the form and resting on the first-mentioned sheet, vulcanizing, severing the vulcanizingsheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks, and inserting a charge into the cavity formed between the first sheet and the second sheet.

112. In the process of preparing a torpedo body, the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, inserting another form between the first-mentioned forms to firmly hold the ends of the sheet in place, placinganother form on top of the sheet, positioning another rubber sheet over the lastmentioned form, so that its ends overlie the form and rest 011 the first-mentioned sheet,

vulcanizing, severing the resultingvulcanized sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks, and inserting a charge in the cavity formed between the first and second sheets.

18. The process of preparing a torpedo body, comprising the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, placing another form on top of the sheet, positioning another sheet over the last-mentioned form, with its ends overlying the form and resting on the first-mentioned sheet, vul

canizing the rubber while in position on the forms, severing the-vulcanized sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks, inserting a charge into thecavity formed between the first sheet and the second sheet, and securing the ends of'the second sheet to the first sheet, toen'close the charge.

1 14s. The process of preparing a torpedo body, comprising the steps of shaping a rubber sheet on forms around which the ends of the sheet are shaped to form leg portions, inserting another form between the first-mentioned forms to firmly hold the ends of the sheet in place, placing another form on top of the sheet, positioning another rubber sheet over the last-mentioned form so that its ends overlie the form and rest on the first-mentioned sheet, vulcanizing the rubber while positioned on the forms, severing the vulcanized sheet into sections suitable for torpedo blanks, inserting a charge in the cavity formed between the first and second sheets, and cementing the edges of the second sheet to the first sheet.

15. A torpedo blank comprising a rubber face having down-turned legs at the longitudinal extremities thereof, and inturned flanges adjacent the extremities of the legs; and 21 adjacent the extremities of the legs; webrubber sheet 011 the top of the face, extending 'bing on the underside of the face, legs, and 10 longitudinally thereof, and secured adjacent flanges, to reinforce the same; and arubber its ends to the face, said face. and said sheet sheet on the top of the face, extending longi- 5 defining a cavity to receive a charge. tudinally thereof, and secured adjacent its 16. A torpedo blank comprising a rubber ends to the face, said face and said sheet deface having down-turned legs at the longitufining a cavity to receive a charge. dinal extremities thereof,and inturned flanges HUGH WV. KELLY. 

